Vol. 562 No. 2
120 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his proposals for the development of a national conference centre; the likely location and costs of such a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5608/03]
123 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the Government intends to go ahead with a national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5500/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 123 together.
When I last spoke on this matter in reply to a question on 20 November, I informed the House that my Department, in the light of the Government's stated commitment, as set out in the agreed programme, to ensure the construction of a state of the art national conference centre, was undertaking an assessment of the case for the provision of such a centre and how it might be achieved.
I can now report that consultations undertaken as part of that assessment, together with recent research, have convinced me that there is potential to generate significant additional high-yield business through the establishment of a dedicated state of the art conference facility. Proposals as to how this project might best be progressed are being finalised and I hope to be in a position to bring the matter to Government very shortly. In the meantime, as I trust Deputies will appreciate, I am not in a position to comment on any specifics, including location and cost.
